On July 18, 1964, one of the greatest rock bands ever achieved a significant moment on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.
Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones performed their first concert at London’s Marquee Jazz Club on July 12, 1962. Slowly but surely, the band made a name for themselves by covering hit songs like “It’s All Over Now” (written by Bobby Womack and Shirley Womack), “Route 66” (Bobby Troup) and Buddy Holly’s “Not Fade Away.”
Thursday marked 62 years since the Stones’ version of “It’s All Over Now” topped the UK Singles Charts, giving the band its first No. 1 single.
It was also on this day, 62 years ago, that the cover of “Not Fade Away” reached its peak on the Billboard Hot 100, landing at No. 48. This track was also the first Rolling Stones song to appear on the Billboard Hot 100.
The Stones’ cover of “Not Fade Away” was recorded at London’s Olympic Studios on Jan. 10, 1964. The song was released as a single in the UK and included on the U.S. version of their first studio album, The Rolling Stones.
One Year Later, Rolling Stones Scored Their First No. 1 Hit in the U.S.
Rolling Stones performing at the New Elizabethan Ballroom, Belle Vue theatre in Manchester on Aug. 9, 1964.(Photo by Alfred Markey/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)
A year after “Not Fade Away” peaked in the United States, the Stones achieved another special milestone on July 10, 1965. That day, “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Four months later, The Rolling Stones topped the Billboard Hot 100 again. “Get Off of My Cloud” reached No. 1 on Nov. 6, holding the top spot for two weeks.
This story was originally published by Men’s Journal on Jul 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men’s Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.